Remote control for fluid flow control systems



J. TURNER Dec. 13, 1938.

REMOTE CONTROL FOR FLUID FLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 10', 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmjtw JOHN TURNER FIG. 2.

Dec. 13, 1938. J. TURNER REMOTE CONTROL FOR FLUID FLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

wown0 JOHN URNER dummu Patented Dec. 13, 1938 D lTE amass armors ooN'moL FOR more now common sYs'rEMs Application August 10, 1933, Serial No. 684,531

14 Claims.,

The present invention relates to an improved remote control system which has specific utility in controlling the flow of fluids, the improved system being particularly adaptable to the cone trol of the flow or steam to one or more steam radiators such as are commonly utilized for heat ing purposes.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of anv improved remote control system by 0 which an instrumentallty may be positioned in accordance with two or more conditions and by which the flow of fluid through a fluid supply line may be automatically varied in accordance with the movements of a remotely located mov- 15 able member. The movable member may be actuated by or respond to any desired condition or function and, lnthe specific embodiments of the invention to be hereinafter described, the movable member responds to changes in tern perature.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a control system by which the flow of a fluid is normally varied in accordance with the movements of a movable member and is additionally controlled so as to give a predetermined flow during certain periods of time irrespective of the position of the movable member. when the flow of steam to one or more radiators is controlled by this" system, the movable member preferably responds to changes in the outdoor temperatures and, in such acase, it is preferably desired to additionally utilize two other movable members which respond to changes in the temperature of the space to be heated. One of these additional movable members operates to increase the flow of steam to the radiator or radiators it the temperature of the space to be heated is not jmaintained sufficiently high by the primary movable member. The other additional movable 40 member operates to increase the supply of steam to the radiator or radiators if the temperature of the space to be heated falls below a predetermined value during those times at which a constant reduced supply of steam is being furnished to the radiator or radiators under the command of the timing mechanism,

Specifically, when this system of control is applied to control the flow of steam to one or more radiators, an outdoor thermostat modulates or proportions the flow of steam to the radiator or radiators in accordance with changes in outdoor temperatures. One of two space temperature responsive thermostats renders the outdoor thermostat inoperative if the space temperature should fall below a predetermined value and opw]. asson erates to give a full supply of steam to the radiator or radiators until the space temperature is restored. A timing mechanism operates at night to reduce the flow of steam to a predetermined minimum value and a second space responsive a thermostat operates during the night to supply an intermediate flow of steam if the temperature of the space should drop below a predetermined safe value which is lower than the daytime allowable minimum temperature. l0

A further object of the invention is the'provision of improved mechanisms for adjusting the settings of various types of pressure regulators whereby varying fluid ilows may be maintained in accordance with the movement of a remotell ly located movable member.

One of the more specific objects of the invention is the adjusting of a diaphragm type pressure regulator which includes an arm for changing the setting of the pressure regulator, by auto- 90 matically shifting a weight along the arm of the pressure regulator in accordance with the movements of a movable member. Preferably, the movable weight takes the form of a motor mech-- anism which is normally biased to assume a posi- 26 tion near one end of the arm and which may be operated by the movement of a remotely located movable member to travel toward the other end of the arm against its bias whereby to vary the setting of the pressure regulator. 30

Another of the more specific objects of the invention is the adjustment of a diaphragm type pressure regulator by varying the pressure supplied to the diaphragm in accordance with changes in some condition, such as changes in 35 outdoor temperature.

Other objects of the invention reside in the various systems as a whole, in an improved means for operating a motor mechanism from a remote point, in the various manners of adjusting pressure regulators and in the various sub-combinations embodied in the complete systems.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the preferred form of the invention, the controls and wiring being omitted,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the control system and'wiring diagram thereof for controlling the apparatus of Fig. 1, u

Fig. 3 is a view of a modified form of the invention, omitting the controls therefor, and

Fig. 4 is a schematic showing of a further modification of the invention.

Referring first to Fig. l, a steam supply main is indicated at if Steam supplied to the main may be obtained from an. individual boiler or from a central station or in any other desired or usual manner. A pressure regulator, generally indicated at El, allows the steam in main ill to enter a header 52 under reduced pressure. The header 2 supplies steam to radiators I? through risers id and each radiator i3 is provided with an individual regulating orifice indicated at it whereby the proper amount of steam may how to each and every radiator.

A pressure regulator ii includes balanced valves lG controlled by a stem i'i which has one of its ends secured to a diaphragm It as indicated at is. The diaphragm l8 constitutes one wall of a chamber the other wall of which is defined by a casting 20. A bleed-line 2i communicates with header i2 and with the chamber defined by casting 2B and diaphragm [8 in such a manner that the reduced pressure present in header l2 tends to lift diaphragm i8 and move the balnced valves M5 to closed position. An arm 22 pivoted at 23 to the frame 24 of the pressure regulator ii is secured to valve stem i? as indicated at 25. A motor mechanism 26 is provided with a frame 2? which carries pulleys 28 which in turn rest upon the arm 22 with the result that the motor mechanism 28 is adapted to move back and forth along arm 22. A coiled spring 29 has one of its ends secured to a bracket 30 carried by arm 2.2 and its other end is secured to frame 2? so that the motor mechanism 26 is biased to assume a position at the extreme right-hand end of arm The motor mechanism 28 includes a shaft B which carries a pulley 32. A cable 33 has one of its ends secured to the frame 24 of pressure regulator ii, passes over a pulley 34 pivoted on frame 2?, and has its other end secured to pulley 32 as indicated at 35. A counterweight 36 is adjustably secured to the left hand end of arm 22 and serves to partially compensate for the weight of motor mechanism 26. The weight of motor mechanism 26 tends to move valve stem ll and diaphragm la in a downward direction in opposition to the pressure operating on the under side of diaphragm l8 and by shifting motor mechanism 25 along arm 22 the reduced pressure which the pressure regulator M will maintain in the header l2 may be adjusted in the usual and well-known manner.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. l, the balanced valves i6 are partially open allowing an intermediate pressure in header i2 and an intermediate flow of steam to the radiators iii. If the shaft 3i is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the right in Fig. l, the pulley 32 will wind up more of cable 33 resulting in movement of motor mechanism 26 to the left along arm 22 against the bias of spring 29. In this manner, the weight acting in opposition to the pressure underneath diaphragm I8 is reduced with the result that the valves 16 move to a more nearly closed position thereby reducing the pressure in header l2 and the flow of steam to radiators iii. If, on the other hand, the shaft 3i is rotated in a clockwise direction, part of the cable 33 will be unwound allowing spring 29 to move motor mechanism 26 along arm 22 towards the right hand end thereof. This action will create a greater force in opposition to the pressure operating on the under side of diaphragm l8 with the result that valves I6 will open more widely thereby creating a greater pressure in header l2 and allowing a larger flow of steam to the radiators 13.

Turning now to Fig. 2, the control arrangement by which motor mechanism 26 is moved back and forth along arm 22 by reason of reverse rotation of shaft 3! is disclosed. A temperature responsive element 3l, herein shown as the wellknown bimetallic volute, controls a movable mem ber 38 which moves back and forth along a re sistance 39 in response to temperature changes. The thermostatic element 37 is preferably placed out-of-doors so as to respond to outside temperatures. The movable member 38 and control resistance 39 constitute a control potentiometer.

A normally balanced electrically controlled means is herein shown as comprising a solenoid winding having a center tap so as to provide a first solenoid winding 40 and a second solenoid winding 4i. Solenoid windings 40 and H control a plunger 42 which is connected to a flexible switch arm 43 through a coiled spring 44'. Flexible switch arm 43 carries contacts 45 and 46 which are adapted to engage relatively stationary contacts 41 and 48.

A relay comprises a second center-tapped solenoid coil by which relay winding 49A and 49 are provided. Ihese relay windings control a plunger 50 which is connected to a flexible relay switch arm 5i by means of a coiled spring 5IA. Flexible switch arm 5| carries contacts 52 and 53 which are adapted to respectively engage stationary contacts 54 and 55.

The shaft 3i carries a gear 56 which meshes with a pinion 51 of a gear reduction 58 having a gear 59 which meshes with a pinion 60 secured to a. rotor shaft 5i. Rotor shaft 6! carries motor rotors 62 and 63 which are provided with field windings and 65 respectively. When field winding 65 is energized, shaft 3! is slowly rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the right in Fig. 2, and in a similar manner, when field winding 64 is energized, shaft 3! is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The two motors comprised by rotors 62 and 63 and field windings 84 and 65 act therefore to drive shaft 3i in reverse directions and could well be replaced by any of the well-known types of reversible motors. Secured to shaft Si is a drum 66 which carries a pair of adjustable limit switch actuators El and 58. Upon clockwise rotation of shaft 3|, looking from the right, limit switch actuator 68 is adapted to engage a pivoted limit switch arm 69 and move the contact 70 carried thereby out of engagement with a stationary contact ll. Similarly, upon counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 3:, limit switch actuator 67 is adapted to engage a pivoted limit switch arm [2 and lllOVC the contact 73 carried thereby out of engagement with a stationary contact 74. Shaft 3! also carries a balancing contact finger 75 which, upon reverse rotation of shaft 3|, sweeps back and forth along a balancing resistance 16. Balancing resistance 75 and balancing contact finger 75 constitute a balancing potentiometer.

A second thermostatic element 17, herein likewise shown as a bimetallic volute, controls a movable member 78 which is provided with a pair of contacts is and 80 which are adapted to respectively engage stationary contacts 8! and 82. Thermostatic element 11 responds t the temperature of the space to be heated and when the temperature of the space is suinciently high during the day-time, as will be hereinafter explained, contacts 19 and 8| are in engagement. If the temperature of the space to be heated should fall below the desired temperature during the day, contacts 19 and 8| will be separated and contact 80 will move into engagement with contact 82. These pairs of contacts are so arranged that one or the other is always closed and in actual practice this thermostatic switch may take the form of a double-ended mercury switch.

A time switch mechanism, generally indicated at 83, comprises a cam 84 which is rotated by timing means (not shown) the cam 84 being adapted to lower and raise a pivoted carrier 85 at predetermined times of day, the lowering operation preferably taking place in the evening and the rising operation taking place in the morning. Plvoted carrier 85 supports a mercury switch clip 86 in which is fastened a double-ended mercury switch 81. Electrodes 88 and 89 are carried near the left hand end of mercury switch 01 and. are adapted to be bridged by a body of mercury 90 when the carrier 85 is in its elevated position. A similar pair of electrodes 9| and 92 carried near the right hand end of mercury switch 81 are adapted tobe bridged by the body of mercury 80 when the carrier 85 is lowered.

A third thermostatic element 93, also herein shown as a bimetallic volute,'con trols a movable member 94 which carries a contact 95 that cooperates with a stationary contact 96. Thermostatic element 93 also responds to the temperature of the space to be heated and, if the temperature of the space should fall below a. predetermined value which is lower than the value at which contact 19 disengages contact 8I and contact 80 engages contact 82, then contact 95 will disengage contact 96.

Electrical power is supplied to the control system of Fig. 2 by means of high voltage line wires 91 and 98. A wire 89 connects relay switch arm 5| with line 98. Wires I and IN respectively connect stationary contacts 55 and 54 with limit contacts 1| and 14. Wire i02 connects limit switch arm 69 with one end of field winding 65 and in a similar manner wire I03 connects limit switch arm 12 with one end of field winding 64. The other ends of field windings 64 and 65 are connected to line 91 by'a wire I04.

A step-down transformer I05 has its high voltage primary I06 connected to line wires 91 and 98. One side of low voltage secondary I01 of transformer I05 is connected to one end of relay coil 49 by wires I08 and I08. The other side of secondary I01 is connected to one end of relay winding 49A by wires I I0 and I I I. The junction or center-tap of relay windings 49A and 49 isv connected to flexible switch arm 43 by a protective resistance H2 and a wire II3. One end of solenoid winding 40 is connected to one side of secondary I01 by wires H4 and H0 and one end of solenoid winding 4| is connected to the other side of secondary I01 by wires H5 and I08. The junction of solenoid windings 40 and 4|, contact 96, and balanced contact finger are connected by wires I I6, I I1 and H8. The outer end of solenoid winding 4| is connected to electrode 9|, the right hand end of control resistance 39, and the left hand end of balancing resistance 16 through a protective resistance ||9by means of wires I20, I2I, I22, I23 and I24. In a similar manner, the outer end of solenoid winding 40 is connected to contact 82, the left hand end of control resistance 39, and the right hand end of balancing resistance 16 through a protective resistance I25 by contacts 46 and 48.

means of wires I26, I21, I28, I29 and I30. Movable member 38 is connected to contact 8| by a wire |3| and movable member 94 is connected to electrodes 89 and 92 by wire I32. Movable member 18 is connected to electrode 88 by a wire I33. A wire I34 connects contact 41 with a small number of turns of solenoid winding 40 and likewise a wire I35 connects contact 48 with a small number of turns of solenoid winding 4|.

With the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, solenoid windings and 4| are equally energized, movable member 38 is contacting the center of control resitance 39 indicating that the outdoor temperature is moderate, and balancing contact finger 15 is contacting the center portion of balancing resistance 16. Contacts and 46 are out of engagement with their respective contacts 41 and 48 with the result that relay windings 49A and 49 are equally energized by the following circuit: secondary I01, wire I88, wire Q09, relay windings 49 and 49A, wire III and wire H0 to the other side of secondary I01. Re lay contacts 52 and 53 are therefore out of en" gagement with their respective stationary contacts 54 and 55 and both field windings 94 and 85 are deenergized. Motor mechanism 26 is approximately midway-way between its allowable limits of travel along arm 22 with the result that the valves i6 are in an intermediate position. The

apparatus is operating on the day-time cyclesince electrodes 88 and 89 are bridged by the body of mercury 90. The temperature of the space is at or above the desired temperature as is-indicated by contact 19 being in engagement,

with contact 81. Contact 95 is therefore in engagement with contact 96 since these contacts are set to open at a lower temperature than that at which contacts 19 and 8| open.

If the outdoor temperature should fall, movable member 38 will travel along control resistance 39 towards the left hand end thereof. This action decreases the voltage drop across solenoid winding 40 and increases the voltage drop across solenoid winding 4| whereupon plunger 42 moves to the right. Flexible switch arm 43 is thereby flexed to the right bringing contact 46 into engagement with contact 48. Engagement of contacts 46 and 48 complete a circuit as follows: from secondary I01 through wires H0 and III through relay winding 49A after which the circuit splits, one part going through relay winding 49 and back to the other side of secondary I01 through wires I09 and I08 while the other portion goes through protective resistance 2, wire II3, flexible switch arm 43, contacts 48 and 48, wire I35, a small number of turns of solenoid winding 4| and wires H5 and I 08 to the same side of secondary I01. Engagement of contacts 46 and 48 therefore decreases the current flow through relay winding 49 and increases the current flow through relay winding 49a whereupon plunger moves to the left, causing contact 53 to engage contact 55. The branch circuit through protective resistance H2 and the small number of turns of solenoid winding 4| attempts to additionally move plunger 42 to the right, re sulting in an increased contact pressure between Engagement of contacts 53 and completes an energizing circuit for field winding as follows: line 98, wire 99, relay switch arm 5|, contacts 53 and 55, wire I00, limit switch contacts 1| and 10, wire I02, field winding 65 and wire I 04 to line 91. Energization of field winding 65 rotates rotor 63 in such a direction that shaft 3| is rotated in a clocki different orifices wise direction as viewed from the right in Figs. 1 and 2. This clockwise rotation of shaft 3i will continue until balancing contact finger 75 has traveled along balancing resistance I6 to such a point that the voltage drops across solenoid windings ll] and ii are again substantially equal ized so that plunger 42 returns to its center position and disengages contact "*3 from contact 28. Such disengagement of contacts 46 from contact :36 equalizes the current flows through relay windings we and t9 whereupon plunger moves to its central position and disengages contact from contact 55 to deenergize field winding and prevent further rotation of shaft o.. This clockwise rotation of shaft also operates to unwind some of cable 33, thereby allowing spring 29 to move motor mechanism 22: along arm 22 towards the right hand and thereof. This shifting of motor mechanism 28 ini creases the force which must be balanced by the pressure under diaphragm it with the result that valves open more widely and a higher pressure is thereby maintained in header l2 resulting in a larger flow of steam to the radiators In this manner, more heat is furnished to the space to be heated upon a fall in the outdoor temperature. If the outdoor temperature should fall to approximately (it may be desirable to vary this value for different localities and for E) the movable member 38 will move to the extreme left hand end of control resistance 39 and shaft 3! will rotate in a clockwise direction until balancing contact finger it has rotated along control resistance 16 to again substantially rebalance the voltage drops across solenoid windings 6 and Li. Lhe limit switch actuator 68 may be adjusted to operate limit switch arm 69 to disengage contact "ill from contact after varying amounts of rotation of shaft SC, whereby the extreme right hand movement of motor mechanism 2E5 along arm 22 may be adjusted. This adjustment predetermines the maximum flow of steam to the radiators In a similar manner, a rise in outdoor ternperature results in movement of movable memalong control resistance towards the 81 um right hand end thereof. Whenever such a move- 1 of movable member 32 occurs, the voltage drop across solenoid winding 16 will be inand the voltage drop across solenoid 5 will be decreased resulting in moveof plunger 12 towards the left nd engagecontact with contact Engagecontact with contact imbalances the current flows through relay windings t9 and by the completion of the following series parallel circuit: from secondary it? through relay winding by means of wires iild and N9, at which point the circuit splits, one part thereof traversing relay winding 49!: and returning to the other side of secondary it?! by wires i ii and till whereas the other part goes through protective resistance M2, wire H3, flexible switch arm d3, contacts 45 and 41, wire 534, a small number of turns of solenoid winding 40 and to the same side of secondary ill? by means of wires li t and M9. Plunger 50 therefore moves to the right causing engagement of contacts 52 and 54. Likewise plunger 42 attempts to move further to the left by reason of the additional energization of the small number of turns of solenoid coil 40 whereby the contact pressure between contacts 45 and 4'! is increased. Engagement of contacts 52 and 54 establishes an energizing circuit for field winding 64 which circuit is as follows: line 98, wire 99, relay switch arm 5i, contacts 52 and 5, wire IN, limit switch contacts 14 and 13, wire "3, field winding N, and wire )4 to line 91. Motor rotor 52 is thereupon rotated in such a direction that shaft 3| rotates in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the right in Figs. 1 and 2, resulting in movement of balancing contact finger along balancing resistance 15 until the voltage drops across solenoid windings 40 and l are again substantially rebalanced whereupon field winding 64 is deenergized in a manner similar to that set forth in connection with the deenergization of field winding 65. This counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 3i likewise winds up part of cable 33 on pulley 32 whereupon motor mechanism 26 moves along arm 22 towards the left end thereof, against the bias of spring 29. This shifting of motor mechanism 26 reduces the force operating against the pressure under diaphragm I8, whereupon valves It will be partially closed and the pressure in header i2 and the flow of steam to radiators I3 will be reduced. Extreme left hand movement of motor mechanism 26 along arm 22 is accomplished when movable member 88 engages the extreme right hand end of control resistance 39 but, as heretofore explained in connection with right hand movement of motor mechanism 25, this extreme motion may also be predetermined by adjusting the limit switch actuator 62' so as to cause opening of limit contacts i3 and i when shaft 3i has rotated a predetermined amount in counter-clockwise direction.

The spring connections 44 and BIA help to eliminate contact chatter due to alternating current vibration of plungers 2 and 50 and also provide a sort of universal connection by which the straight-line motion of plungers 42 and 50 may be readily transmitted to flexible switch arm 43 and relay switch arm 5i. Protective resistances i i5 and 25 prevent the complete short-circuiting of transformer ill! when movable member 38 and balancing contact finger T5 reach the extreme ends of their associated resistances 37 and 16. In a somewhat similar manner, the protective resistance H2 limits the total current flow through relay windings i n. and it during those periods when the current flow through these relay windings is unbalanced. These are practical commercial features which are necessary for a commercially practicable system.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the pressure in header l2 and therefore the steam flow to radiators i3 is modulated or proportioned in. accordance with variations in outdoor temperature. The change in outdoor temperature necessary to proportion the steam pressure and flow from minimum to maximum must necessarily be varied for diiferent localities and in the present embodiment of the invention, this outdoor temperature change is from 0 F. for maximum steam pressure to 65 F. for minimum pressure.

The above described operation is the normal day-time operation of the system. However, if the steam supplied to radiators i 3 should be insufilcient to maintain the desired room temperature, movable member I8 which is operated by thermostatic element 11 will move contact 80 into engagement with contact 52 and will disengage contact 19 from contact Ii. Solenoid winding 40 will thereupon be substantially completely shortcircuited (the short circuiting of this solenoid coil would be complete if it were not for the inclusion of protective resistance III) by the following circult: solenoid winding 40. protective resistance I25, wires I26 and I21, contacts 82 and 80, wire 133, electrode 353, mercury 90, electrode 88, wire Motor mechanism 26 will thereupon be moved till along arm 22 to its extreme right hand position, thereby allowing a maximum flow of steam to be delivered to radiators it. This operation is an auxiliary function by which an extra amount of steam may he furnished to the radiators it it the proportioned flow of steam should not be quite sufficient to maintain the desired space tom peratvre.

A predetermined time in the evening, cam 8t will reach such. a position as to allow pivoted carrier to move downwardly suflici'ently tor the body of mercury 96 to move to the right hand end of mercury switch. Ell. This movement at the body of mercury 98 breaks the circuit between electrodes 88 and lit and completes the circuit hetweeo. electrodes and t2. Breaking of the ctr cult between electrodes 83 and 8t electrically disconnects movable member 38 with the result that control resistance 3% is connected directly in parallel with solenoid windings ill and ti and move ments of movable member 88 along control reels once 39 are incapable of changing the voltage drops across solenoid windings M3 and. 36. Solenoid winding it is new substantially completely short-circuited by a circuit from solenoid ll through protective resistance Mt, wires 82% and mt, electrodes ti and. 92, wire tilt, movable mem her as, contacts and 8t and wires it? and lit? to the other end oi solenoid winding Plunger t2 thereupon moves to the left causing engage ment of contact tfi with contact W and motor mechanism will move along; arm 22 to the left to its extreme position thereby resulting in a minimum of steam to the radiators it riur= inc: the night. Balancing contact lit likewise been moved along halancinc resistance it substantially to the right err thereof, the exact position depending upon the setting of switch actuator The space tent perature will, of course, become lower due to the reduced suoo y of steam to radiators l8 when the space temperature falls below value do sired. during" the clay, contact till will engage con tact but since tlie'circuit between electrodes has broken such movement oi movable 118 will have no eillect, Iii the space tenuneiatui during night cycle, should :tall. below some value, exams or thermostatic eie'o nt wl lve movaole mem her i to diseng contact 3 i'rcm contact till wl'iereuoort the st ostemtial t-circuit sole= cold. 63 v he removed, Eltuce caloric/ed contact finger to ace "seen moved clear the right hand end of cine resistances l0, voltas' drop across solenoid winding M is increased and the voltage drop across solenoid winding" ttl is decreased. upon separation of contacts til and 8%. Contacts to and to will thereupon be engaged and shaft ti will be turned in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right in Figs. 1 and 2, until balancing contact ringer I! is returned to the central position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the voltagecirops across solenoid windings W and M will be substantially rebalanced to cause disengagement of contacts 46 and 48 whereupon further clockwise rotation of shaft 8| ceases. This movement of shaft 38 moves motor mechanism 20 to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 1 wherein. valves It are in an intermediate position and there is an intermediate flow of steam supplied to radiators 63 to raise the temperature of the space. In this manner, duringthe night cycle, 6 the movablememloer cs controlled "by thermostatic element St prevents dropping of the space temperature below a safe value,

From the ioregoing description, it will be apparent that during the day-cycle, this system lil proportions or modulates the supply of steam tothe radiators in the space to be heated and, in addition, i the space temperature should fall below the desired value, the supply of steam is increased and in the specific example herein it shown, the supply of steam is increased to a. maximum. During the night-cycle, the supply of steam is reduced to a predetermined minimum but, if the temperature or the space should fall below a safe value, the supply of steam is again to automatically increased and in the present emhooliment of the invention, the supply of. steam is increased to an intermediate value.

While this embodiment of invention has been described in connection with regulating the 25 flow of steam to radiators in a space to be heated, it will be readily apparent that the control system of it may loeutiiized m many other manners and that the movable members it and 9% may respond to temperatures other than to the outdoor temperature and space temperature or they may resoond to any other conditions or functions by the chances oi which itis desired to; operate an instrumentality such as the valves 0 in now to 3 of the drawingaa moot tied system of control is shown which has particuior utility for controlling the iiow of fluid when the supply of fiulo'i is maintained at a quite constant pressure, in the case of Figs. 1- an to it, the system oi. will be explained in com foectlort with controlling the flow of steam to adiators heating purposes. The supply- Lea-in is indicated. at 09, and above brought out, is preferably connected to a source of con- 45 stant steam suooly such as availablefroro. central power station. The supply-main it communicates a diaphragm type pressure remtlator, generall indicated. at too, and the steam thereafter flows into a header which so in turn. supplies one or more radiators (not emai The diaphragm press regulator of well ltriown constmction cl may the shown in Fig T when essure is c5 trader the die-pin regulator close the vol not automatically cositiouoolo I is provided for to varying the or the diaphragm the pressure regulator. The diaphragm chamber its oi regulator 61% communicates with the supply main it by means of pipes 83%, 1M and Mt, there being a manually ad- 65 justabie throttle valve Mil placed in a pipe Ml. Similarly, the header l2 communicates with the diaphragm chamber rec by means of pipes E39, m and 3, there being a manually adjustable throttle valve M l located in pipe M3. The to throttle valve Ht is adjusted to allow a small constant flow of steam from the oliapliragmchamber I38 and the throttle valve M2 is adiusted to allow a small flow of steam into the diaphragm chamber I38 with the result that there 76 is always pressure present in the diaphragm chamber I38. The pressure maintained in header I2 and the steam flow allowed therein is varied by bleeding at variable amount of steam from the diaphragm chamber I38. This bleeding is accomplished by means of a pilot pressure regulator generally indicated at I45 which communicates with diaphragm chamber I38 by pipes I39 and I46 and communicates with header I2 by a pipe I 41 which contains a manually adjustable throttle valve I48 that is always wide open.

The pilot pressure regulator I45 comprises a casing I49 having a partition I50 forming an inlet chamber II and a combined outlet and diaphragm chamber I52. The partition I 50 is provided with an opening defined by a valve seat I53 upon which a valve I54 is adapted to seat; The valve I54 is normally biased to its seated or closed position by a spring I55. A diaphragm I56 constitutes the upper wall of the combined outlet and diaphragm chamber I52 and carries a stem I51 which, upon downward movement, is adapted to engage valve I54 and move the same to open position. A spring I58 has one of its ends abutting diaphragm I56 and its other end abuts a spring retainer I59, the position of which is controlled by a plunger I60 which is pivoted to a lever I6I that in turn is pivoted to a bracket I62 carried by the pilot pressure regulator I45. The action of the spring I58 tends to open valve I54 and is opposed by spring I55 and by the pressure in diaphragm chamber I52. The force exerted by spring I58 is adjusted by moving lever l6I and this movement of lever I6I is automatically controlled by the motor mechanism 26 by means of a cable I63 having one of its ends secured to lever I H and having its other end secured to pulley' 32, it being noted that in Fig. 3 the cable I63 passes in back of pulley 32. A hollow nut I70 determines the minimum adjustment of spring I58.

With the parts in the position shown the outdoor temperature is moderate with the result that valve I54 is partially off its seat I53 allowing a small flow of steam to escape from diaphragm chamber I38 with the result that pressure regulator I36 allows an intermediate flow of steam into header I2. If the outdoor temperature should fall, it being remembered that pulley 32 is thereby rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right, lever I6I will be moved downwardly to compress spring I 58. Compression of spring I58 opens valve I54 more widely allowing a larger amount of steam to escape from diaphragm chamber I38 whereupon weight I3'I will open the valve of pressure regulator I36 to a greater extent to permit a larger flow of steam to the radiators. In this manner, the pilot pressure regulator I45, through adjustment of spring I58 by motor mechanism 26, varies the pressure in diaphragm chamber I38 at the command of the control mechanism of Fig. 2 so as to control the flow of steam to the'radiators in the same general manner as heretofore explained in connection with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The most notable difference between the system of Fig. 3 and the system of Fig. 1 is the manner in which the pressure regulators I I and I36 are adjusted, the ultimate results obtained by these two systems being substantially identical,

Fig. 4 shows a further modification of the application of the invention wherein the motor mechanism 26 variably adjusts the tension of a spring I64 of an ordinary spring balanced diaphragm type pressure regulator suitable for use in connection with high steam pressures. The steam supply main is indicated at I0 and the header is indicated at I2. The operation of this type of ordinary spring balanced diaphragm pressure regulator, commonly known as the Mason regulator, is well known in the art and it is thought that in view of the previous descriptive matter, it will readily be understood that the pulley 32 of motor mechanism 26 variably positions lever I65 by means of a cable I66 to compress and expand the spring I64 in accordance with the various conditions set forth in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 in order to maintain the proper flow of steam to the radiators and space to be heated. A hollow nut I'II determines the minimum adjustment of spring I64.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved remote control system whereby an instrumentality such as the pulley 32 may be normally positioned in accordance with the movements of a movable member or the changes in one condition and may be further moved to some predetermined position as the result of the movements of another movable member or the changes in another condition or the instrumentality may be moved to a predetermined position during certain periods of time. It will further be apparent that the present invention provides improved means for controlling the flow of fluids and particularly the flow of steam to heating radiators and that the invention likewise includes novel means for automatically controlling the operation of various types of pressure regulators.

It will be readily understood that many changes and modifications can be readily made without departing from the spirit of this invention and I intend to be limited only in the purview of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a fluid flow controlling element, means responsive to a physical condition associated therewith for operating the same to vary the fluid flow therethrough in accordance with the variaticns in said physical condition, and time operated means for additionally operating said fluid flow controlling element to maintain a predetermined minimum flow therethrough for a predetermined period of time irrespective of changes in the value of said physical condition.

2. In combination, a space the temperature of which is to be controlled, a fluid flow controlling element for controlling the supply of fluid by which the temperature of said space is controlled, temperature responsive means responsive to a temperature other than that of the space for operating said fluid flow controlling element to vary the flow of fluid therethrough in accordance with variations in the temperature to which said temperature responsive means responds, temperature responsive means responsive to the temperature of the space for additionally controlling said fluid flow controlling element to change the flow of fluid therethrough when the space temperature reaches a predetermined value, timing means for additionally controlling said fluid flow controlling element to reduce the flow of fluid therethrough, for predetermined periods of time, and thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the space for automatically increasing the flow of fluid through said fluid flow controlling element it the space temperature reaches a predetermined value during that period of time during which the timing means normally reduces the flow of fluid.

3. In combination, a space the temperature of which is to be controlled, a fluid flow controlling element for controlling the supply of fluid by which the temperature of said space is controlled, temperature responsive means responsive to a temperature other than that oi the space for operating said fluid flow controlling element to vary the flow of fluidtherethrough in accorddance with variations in the temperature towhich said temperature responsive means responds, timing means for additionally controlling said fluid flow controlling element to reduce the flow of fluid therethrough for predetermined periods of time, and thermostatic means respon sive to the temperature of the space for automatically increasing the flow of fluid through said fluid flow controlling element if the space temperature reaches a predetermined value during that period of time during which the timing means normally reduces the flow of fluid.

i. In combination, a space to be heated, valve means for controlling the flow oi fluid by which the temperature of said space may be increased, thermostatic means responsive to a temperature other than that of the space to be heated and associated with said valve means for normally proportioning the flow of fluid through said valve means in accordance with variations in the temperature to which said thermostatic means responds, means responsive to the temperature of the space to be heated for operating said valve means to supply a maximum flow of fluid if the proportioning the flow of fluid through said valve means in accordance with variations in the ternperature to which said thermostatic means respends, means responsive to the temperature or the space to be heated for operating said valve means to supply a maximum flow or fluid if the space temperature falls to a predetermined low value, timing means operating the valve means to supply a minimum flow oi fluid during a predetermined porticn of the night, and additional thermostatic means responsive to the tom peraturc oi": the space to be heated for operating said valve means to supply an intermediate flow of fluid ii the temperature of the space falls below a predetermined low value lower than said first mentioned value wldle the timing means is operating to supply a minimum ilow of fluid.

In combination, a space to be heated, valve means for controlling the flow oi. fluid by which the temperature oi said space may be increased, thermostatic means responsive to a temperature other than that of the space to be heated and associated with. said valve means for normally proportlonlng the flow oi fluid through. said valve means in accordance with variations in the term perature to which said thermostatic means re spends, timing; means for operating the valve means to supply a minimum flow of fluid during a predetermined portion of the night, and additional thermostatic means responsive to the temperature oi the space to be heated for operating said valve means to supply an intermediate flow of fluid if the temperature of the space falls below a predetermined low value while the timing means is operating to supply a minimum flow of fluid.

'7. In combination, switching mechanism, normally balanced electrically controlled means in control thereof, control resistance means associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means, a movable member for operating said control resistance means to unbalance said normally balanced electrically controlled means, an electrically controlled. device, balancing resistance means operated thereby and associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means to rebalance the same when the electrically controlled device is energized, an

- energizing circuit for the electrically controlled device controlled by said switching mechanism, an instrumentality positioned by the electrically controlled device, and time operated means for additionally unloalancing said normally balanced electrically controlled means at predetermined times.

ii. In combination, switching mechanism, normally balanced electrically controlled means in control thereof, control resistance means associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means, a movable member for operating said control resistance means to unbalance said normally balanced electrically controlled means, an electrically controlled device, balancing resistance means operated thereby and associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means to rebalance the same when the electrically controlled'device is energized, an energizing circuit for the electrically controlled device controlled by said switching mechanism, an instrumentality positioned by the electrically controlled device, time operated means for additionally unbalancing said normally balanced electrically controlled means at predetermined times, and a second movable member for rendering said first movable member and timing means incapable of varying the balance of said normally bal anced electrically controlled means when said Ill second movable member reaches a predetermined 7 position,

9. In combination, switching mechanism, nor-- mally balanced electrically controlled means in control thereof, control resistance means associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means, a movable member for operating said control. resistance means to unbalance said normally balanced electrically controlled means, an electrically controlled device, balancing resistance means operated thereby and associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means to rebalance the same when the electrically controlled device is energized, an energizing circuit for the electrically controlled device controlled by said switching mechanism, an instrumentality positioned by the electrically controlled device and a second movable member for rendering said first movable member inoperative and for completely unbalancing said normally balanced electrically controlled means when said second movable member assumes a predetermined position.

iii, In combination, a fluid flow controlling element in control of the flow oi fluid by which a space is heated, outdoor temperature responsivc means associated with said fluid flow controlling element operative to vary the flow of fluid therethrough according to changes in outdoor temperature, timing means operative additionally to control the flow controlling element to reduce the flow of fluid therethrough at predetermined times, and means responsive to the temperature of the space associated with the fluid flow controlling element and operative to change the flow therethrough if the space temperature reaches predetermined values either when the timing means is operating or not operating to reduce the flow of fluid through the fluid flow controlling element.

11. In combination, a fluid flow controlling element in control of the flow of fluid by which a space is heated, outdoor temperature responsive means associated with said fluid flow controlling element operative to vary the flow of fluid therethrough according to changes in outdoor temperature, timing means operative additionally to control the flow controlling element. to reduce the flow of fluid therethrough at predetermined times, and means responsive to space temperature associated with the fluid flow controlling element and operative to control the same to increase the flow of fluid therethrough during one of said times if the space temperature falls to a predetermined value.

12. In combination, switching mechanism, normally balanced electrically controlled means in control thereof, control resistance means associ ated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means, a movable member for operating said control resistance means to unbalance said normally balanced electrically controlled means,

an electrically controlled device, balancing re-' sistance means operated thereby and associated with the normally balanced electrically controlled means to rebalance the same when the electrically controlled device is energized, an energizing circuit for the electrically controlled device controlled by said switching mechanism, an instrumentality positioned by the electrically controlled device, time operated means associated with said normally balanced electrically controlled means operative to render said movable member incapable of varying the balance thereof and to unbalance the electrically controlled means to a predetermined extent, and a second movable member operative to render said timing means and first movable member ineffective.

13. In an electrical system of control, in combination, electric motor means, an element which it is desired to variably position controlled by said electric motor means. an electrical controller responsive to a condition operable to progressively position said motor means as the condition to which said controller responds progressively changes, and control switching means operable to selectively place said motor means in any one of three definite positions irrespective of the value of the condition to which said controller responds.

14. In a control system, in combination, electric motor means in control of a condition changing device, a condition responsive controller in control of said motor means to determine the direction and extent of movement thereof to variably position the same, and control switching means in control of said motor means operable to move the same to any one of three definite positions irrespective of the condition of said controller.

JOHN TURNER. 

